Regulatory agency hears public testimony on implementation of new abortion law

The Department of State Health Services Wednesday began hearing public testimony regarding the implementation of the sweeping package of abortion restrictions the Texas Legislature passed into law last month.

Anti-abortion activists, dressed in blue, and abortion rights supporters, wearing orange, rally in the state Capitol rotunda in July before the vote on a set of sweeping abortion restrictions. Tamir Kalifa/AP

The state agency that will oversee the enactment of the new restrictions is holding a two-day work session today at 1 pm and Thursday at 9 a.m. to hear public input on exactly how the new restrictions should be implemented on the ground. While the DSHS, which is in charge of regulating abortion providers in Texas, does not have jurisdiction to change the already-passed law, they do control how the law is translated into regulations for abortion providers.

About 45 people had signed up to register by the start of the hearing Wednesday, and a source at the hearing said about half were wearing orange to represent opposition of the law. Senate and House committee hearings on the bill during the legislative session drew hundreds of witnesses, both for and against the measure.

The new restrictions, passed as House Bill 2 during the second special session, ban abortions after 20 weeks, require doctors performing the procedure to have hospital admitting privileges within 30 miles, regulates abortion-inducing drugs and mandate that abortion clinics meet standards for ambulatory surgical centers.

The law takes effect October 29, but Democrats have said they will challenge the law in court. After the council adopts rules regarding implementation on Thursday, they will be posted online for a 30-day public comment period.